RARITAN TWP. — A judge expects to make a decision by Aug. 22 on whether or not Gary Passarelli's statement to police should be admitted at his trial on murder charges.

On Aug. 7, attorneys reviewed a recording of his four-hour long interview and questioned the detectives about the procedures they followed. The question is whether or not Passarelli waived his rights and voluntarily answered questions.

The next hearing date will be set once the decision is made.

Niko, 35, was found dead in his Sun Ridge townhouse on Friday, May 31, 2013, by police who were called by a coworker. The worker was concerned when Niko wasn't on the job that day at eSOZO Computer and Network Services in Flemington, where he was a managing partner.

Authorities said that Niko was beaten and stabbed.

On Nov. 21, a Hunterdon County grand jury returned an indictment charging Passarelli, 40, of North Plainfield with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon (a dumbbell and a knife) for unlawful purpose and third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance (Ketamine).

Passarelli and Niko were longtime friends, and the intersection between their friendship and Passarelli's previous run-ins with police helped police identify Passarelli as a suspect.

Passarelli remains in the Hunterdon County Jail, with bail set at $1 million.